Inside The Hashes Football Q & A with Kris Thomas
Inside The Hashes Football Q & A with Kris Thomas
Which Non Playoff Bowl Game are you looking forward to?
The Outback Bowl between Minnesota and Auburn. Although both teams fell short to their goal to the CFB, I was impressed by both teams turning it around this season and trending up to become a legitimate contender for years to come. For Minnesota, this is the best this team has looked in over 100 years and it’s all due to PJ Fleck. The offense led by Tanner Morgan, the Big Ten’s leading passer is going up against one of the nation’s toughest defenses. For Bo Nix of Auburn, it could be a long day going up a tough secondary led by Antonie Winfield Jr. as well. Both teams are evenly matched in every statistical category however Auburn’s season they faced tougher competition, beaten Alabama and even gave LSU a scare.
I think Alabama and Michigan will be a blowout and Oregon and Wisconsin will be a shootout, but with how good both Auburn and Minnesota have been this year makes this the best possible game. Bo Nix being a true freshman QB could aid in helping a well-coached Minnesota team that had their struggles against ranked opponents.
Who will finish first in the NFC Playoff Picture?
I believe the 49ers will turn it around these last two weeks and secure the top seed. After a hot start to the season, a cool down was expected. The second half of their schedule has been rough for them but they have weathered the storm nicely beating the Packers and Saints in New Orleans. The loss to the Seahawks in OT, Ravens, and Falcons were tough pills to swallow but they have shown more than enough that they can hang and beat the league’s top teams. They have the Rams at home and the Seahawks in Seattle but Kyle Shannahan has shown that his team will be up for the tough tasks the last two weeks.
Who can possibly upset the Ravens in the AFC Playoff Picture?
Buffalo is the one I would put my money on. You need a tough brand of physical football to best Baltimore in January and Buffalo fit the bill. Top 5 defense, a good running attack and a young fearless QB who can make it happen if he has the ball in his hands the last two minutes. Also, the Bills were in a position to put the game in OT until Marcus Peters made the play of the game. These two teams are similar in almost every aspect which makes great for cold weather battle in January. The Bills offensive line needs to step the next time they play allowing six sacks the last time but considering Buffalo has been much better on the road than at home, we could see a much different team going to Baltimore than the one hosting them.
If the Eagles lose to Dallas should they rest their starters?
No. One of the biggest knocks was Carson Wentz was his inability to go to 16 games. Seeing him play all 16 games will give him that building block that he can grind out the season without getting hurt. Also playing the starters will give you a better look at who stays on the team next year. Players like Greg Ward, Robert Davis and potentially Marken Michel could use the reps playing with Carson Wentz to see if they can build a repertoire towards the offseason. I understand wanting to better yourself for a better draft position but even if playing Sudfeld plays, the Giants are still a walking disaster that you can beat even at your worst. The Eagles have too much pride to mail it in because their season is over, so even if a Dallas lost comes on Sunday expect the starters to try to end the season on a high note at .500.
What was the best Football related Christmas gift you have gotten?
An Eagles Terrell Owens jersey. Owens among Steve McNair and Brian Westbrook was my favorite playing growing up. The reality that he would become a Philadelphia was something I thought I would never see so I had to make sure that was on my Christmas list. A got a bunch of school throwback Eagles jackets but nothing made me feel happier during my childhood than wearing that #81 jersey every Sunday.
-By: Kris Thomas
Writer/Interviewer